Dry needling is a technique to treat myofascial pain. It is a Western medicine supported by research and modern principles. Trained physical therapists (where state laws allow) use a “dry” needle without any medication or injection to insert through the skin into trigger point areas in the muscles. Other common terms for dry needling include “trigger point dry needling” and “intramuscular manual therapy”.

Trigger points are taut bands of skeletal muscle. It is located within a larger muscle group and can be tender to the touch. In fact, touching a trigger point can cause pain to different areas of the body.

The needles used in this treatment are made a thin filiform that penetrates the skin. The dry needles can then stimulate myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. This type of needle allows the physical therapist to target tissues that are not manually detectable.

Dry needling is often one part of a larger treatment plan and is used to relieve pain and improve range of motion through the release or deactivation of trigger points. It is often used to help speed up a patient’s return to rehabilitation. Dry needling can relieve muscle tension, normalize dysfunctions at the area where nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles and help with pain control. The dry needling team at Back to Health Chiropractic & Wellness have received proper training and education to provide quality treatment for our clients.